Peace, Be Still…
Heavenly Friday =)
For in Him our heart rejoices,
Because we trust [lean on, rely on, and are confident] in His holy name.
Psalm 33:21
I’ve Been Through Enough
By Dawn Rogers; Sung By John Starnes
“When I first began to walk with the Lord,
I did not fully trust Him,
How He longed for me to understand that I could
So through the valley He led me, afraid as I could be,
Until I felt His loving arms embracing me
How could I ever doubt my God whose hands hold the universe,
Why would I ever question His ability,
There’s no place that I can go where He doesn’t know,
The things that trouble me
He’s always aware of where I am and what I need
I’ve been through enough to know He’ll be enough for me
He’s come through too many times
That puts my mind at ease, for good
And I’ll stake my very life He’s gonna take care of me,
‘Cause I’ve been through enough to know that He’ll be enough for me”
Oh, I believe Him now, after all these years,
He’s been so faithful; He’s proven to be true,
Oh, Nevermore will I doubt or question why
‘Cause I’ve seen Him work before, and I know what God can do
I’ve been through enough to know He’ll be enough for me
He’s come through too many times
And that puts my mind at ease, for good
And I’ll stake my very life He’s gonna take care of me,
‘Cause I’ve been through enough to know that He’ll be enough for me”
Yes, Jesus is enough, dear ones. He’s all we need…
Take time to think about Jesus and Heaven this weekend. ☺
God bless,
Mark
I Love This Soothing Scripture Passage
Hello Precious People In Jesus,
I was reading some verses this morning and came across this passage, again. It always makes me pause. I love how its words can soothe and calm me down as they remind me, once again, of the tremendous advantages of being more like Jesus. ☺
Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.
Ephesians 4:31-32 King James Version (KJV)
Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor [perpetual animosity, resentment, strife, fault-finding] and slander be put away from you, along with every kind of malice [all spitefulness, verbal abuse, malevolence]. Be kind and helpful to one another, tender-hearted [compassionate, understanding], forgiving one another [readily and freely], just as God in Christ also forgave [a]you.
Ephesians 4:31-32 Amplified Version (AMP)
God bless,
Mark
Making Heaven’s Servant Leaders
There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
1 Corinthians 10:13
I will also leave in the midst of thee an afflicted and poor people, and they shall trust in the name of the LORD (for it is they who trust in the name of the LORD).
Zephaniah 3:12
Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
1 Peter 5:6-7
There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.
1 John 4:18
If any of you are going through trying times – maybe even for decades – I can tell you right now this is the type of rigorous, repetitive, seeming monotonous training God uses for making His servants, His leaders – those who will never flinch when called into battle – even in the face of death.
These are the ones the devil fears most. These are the ones now filled with the perfect love that casts out satan’s fear. With the help of the Lord of Lords and King of Kings, they’ve made the journey from fear to love’s faith and are now equipped with the secret to set other fearful ones free.
In Heavenly places, you’ve been counted worthy of affliction. But remember that in God’s hands, affliction produces humble yet precise servant-commanders of the hosts of God.
Your training is not in vain. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. This holy training is being used to so tune your soul’s ear to the Master’s voice that the interrupting, enticing, sounds of the world are no longer considered (James 4:7).
Your preparation will be used to point out and to deliver many from the lies and snares of the enemy. Your life’s training will be used to set many free in Jesus’ Name. I promise you…and them.
Now, you’ve been entrusted with “the way to escape.”
Into battles, you will carry the Heavenly love banner, “Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all!”
Enduring, patiently, the training while all the time being more and more filled with the precious, inestimable fruit of the Spirit – love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance – learn all you can now.
Then, at that time when nothing else matters in life any more, you’ll be able to truly wait on and rest in the Lord. His call, His reward for your allegiance, will come. It will not tarry because there is great need for the perfect love that casts out fear, perfectly- loved one.
Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
2 Corinthians 12:10
Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
John 15:13
and they loved not their lives unto the death.
Revelation 12:11b
For the souls of the Kingdom…
God bless,
Mark
Dayenu: The Secret Of Contentment
Dayenu (Dah-yay-new: literally “it would have been enough”): The Secret Of Contentment
God bless you all,
Mark
It’s So Nice To Be Nice
A side benefit of being nice to others is that it can have an impact on my own heart and spirit. It can bring me out of the doldrums as well as help lift others higher in their own daily routine. How great is that?
Just a quick reminder to be nice. It’s so nice to be nice to your mate, your children and people you meet. It can really create a “nice” atmosphere. It can really lift someone’s spirit to smile at them and say “Hello.” If you know someone’s name, say “Hello” along with their name. It really makes an impression on them, makes them feel acknowledged and that they have worth and value as a fellow human being. It can give them strength and hope, and put a spring in their step. I know I like it when others treat me this way, when they acknowledge me. It also calms me down and can make my own day better to help someone else feel special. And somehow, making someone feel worthwhile brings me closer to God’s love in my own heart. It’s a real win-win encounter.
Spreading around springs of living water can just make everybody’s day lighter and more enjoyable (John 7:38).
Another thing we can do is to ask God how we might better love others. I’ve found that God’s always ready to show me how I can improve on loving others.
Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.
Ephesians 5:25
“Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.”
1 John 4:11
Do to others as you would have them do to you.
Luke 6:31
The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.
Mark 12:31
God bless,
Mark
In His Love For Us, God Wants To Make Us Immovable
God desires that we be immovable. Isn’t that incredible love?
When the storms come in life, He wants us to know that we can trust Him see us through – Every time.
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
Philippians 4:6-8
The Lord bless you and keep you,
The Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you,
The Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace,
And I put the Name of the God of the children of Israel upon you and bless you in Jesus’ Name, the Name that is above every other name.
Taken From Numbers Chapter 6 (Edits Mine)
God bless,
Mark
God Has Not Given Us The Spirit Of Fear
If God hasn’t given us the spirit of fear, it must be coming from satan.
I’m seeing more and more people being attacked by fear today. And, sadly, most of them do not know that fear is a spirit sent to devour them, to bring them hopelessness, to make them react with little self-control.
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
II Timothy 1:7 King James Version
For God did not give us a spirit of timidity (of cowardice, of craven and cringing and fawning fear), but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control.
II Timothy 1:7 Amplified Bible
I have not been given a spirit of fear (fear is satan’s main weapon as he roams around seeking someone to devour, I Peter 5:8 ). As a Christian, I do not have to yield to the temptation to fear whenever my life doesn’t go the way I want or think it should be going. Instead, I can listen to God and yield to His power, His love and His thoughts about me and the situation. By doing so, I can yield to the fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) and realize that God IS working all things for my good. This allows me to have God’s peace as I place myself back under His loving care.
God bless,
Mark
Maintaining Our Thought-Life
Thankfully, I often think of the apostle Paul and how he and Silas began praising God while imprisoned in chains. (Acts 16)
For as he (or she) thinketh in his heart, so is he/she:
Proverbs 23:7a (Edit Mine)
Our beliefs become our thoughts, our thoughts become our words, our words become our actions, our actions become our habits.
“Whoa, where did that thought come from and why was I thinking it?”
The devil’s attacks on, and recommendations for, our thought life are deliberate. If left unopposed, satan’s scheme will eventually destroy us.
For instance, I woke up not feeling good today. As a result, my thoughts followed the way I felt in my body…
Well, about ten seconds later, the Lord reminded me that His thoughts are not determined by or subject to how I feel, and I began to praise Him and thank Him. I started being positive for my wife and chose to love her by not letting how I felt get me down.
One thing I try to remember throughout the day is that while God said He’ll never leave me nor forsake me, I can often leave Him during the day. What I mean is that, for any number of reasons, I can let my thoughts wander away from Him and begin taking on destructive/defeating thoughts.
Let’s stay with God, saints. Let’s ask Him to remind us of Whose we are throughout the day so we can maintain a victorious thought-life in Christ regardless of circumstances.
“Jesus, please help me to be deliberate in my thinking so I be an overcomer and live the victorious life You’ve given me the opportunity to live.”
Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.
1 Timothy 6:12
For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
2 Corinthians 10:3-5
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
Philippians 4:8
Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Be joyful always. Can this really be accomplished? Yes, the Word says it’s God’s will for Christians, those who choose to be followers of Jesus Christ!
God bless,
Mark – ChoosingJesusEveryDay@gmail.com
Hold On, Something Great Is Coming!
Hello Christians,
Here’s a 1-minute message to help you begin your week. God is so good! =)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tz6GwahOvsg
By the way, here is the link to Jonathan’s entire message that the above excerpt was taken from. Very inspiring 27-minute message.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zg-47moVPtM
God bless you all,
Mark
Maintaining God’s Peace During These “Troubled” Times
Asserting behavior is on the rise, big time. Even if we’re “right,” we need to discern situations with God’s help so that we don’t fall prey to the enemy’s traps.
The other day, I was right behind a Cadillac Escalade. We were traveling on a two-lane road that was being worked on so barriers were funneling drivers into one lane about 400 yards up the road. I was already in the correct lane to drive through the road work area ahead. The accelerating Escalade had flown past me and quickly got in front of me. I could tell the driver was aggressive and impatient and sensed I should back off from them by leaving some distance between the two of us.
After about another 100 yards, another car came up on my right and quickly passed by hoping to pass the Escalade before we all reached the area where cars had to merge into my lane or hit the barriers in the right lane. The Escalade driver was not going to let the Nissan Altima in. No way. I was far enough behind the Escalade so that the Altima could easily slip into my lane. But, the Altima was not going to drop in behind the Escalade. The race was on. Sure enough, the Altima ran out of room in the right lane and smacked into the Escalade with the entire side of their car. Pretty bad road rage situation.
Lately, in the news, I’ve been seeing more trouble with plane passengers fighting like the incident Burbank, California yesterday.
People are becoming more aggressive in store checkout lines even butting in front of others who’ve been waiting patiently. Amazing.
Society is becoming more and more troubled and out of control. I can sense we’re on the brink of some real problems in the world. People seem to not care any more and are doing whatever they want to make sure they’re wishes are known and met. Selfishness is becoming the rule. Compromise is vanishing. Grace is disappearing. Love is giving into hate.
I share this with you not to discourage you but to encourage you to let not your heart be troubled. We’re going to see those who don’t know Jesus succumb to their troubled hearts and we need to be careful that we’re maintaining a close relationship with Jesus so we don’t get tricked into entering into this troubled, end times world. Satan’s baiting us and would like nothing more than for us to jump into the troubled mess he’s cooked up.
When the two cars smacked together, I have to admit, it was really weird. I couldn’t believe what I’d just witnessed. I thought, “Man, this world is getting even more crazy.” It was then that the Holy Spirit spoke to my heart and told me to back off, to let go of any of my own aggressive tendencies, to calm down, and to let His peace reign in my heart. The Holy Spirit meant that He’s watching over me and that I must yield to Him today to keep from getting harmed by this world’s troubles. He told me not to let a macho, California spirit of aggression cause me to make decisions that could harm me and my wife. I was really thankful for His words of wisdom. I pray all the time and ask God to keep me from falling into the trap of the spirits that are coming on this world to bring destruction to many.
Please, if you sense your rights are being violated and that aggression is mounting in you, back off and take a moment to let God reign in you before proceeding. It could really mean the difference between great harm and safety.
There are so many Bible passages that help us discern the times we’re living in and how we should conduct ourselves to keep us in Christ, in His protection and care. I’ve listed just a few below.
Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.
James 1:19-20
Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
1 Peter 5:8
Be not quick in your spirit to become angry, for anger lodges in the bosom of fools.
Ecclesiastes 7:9
One who is wise is cautious and turns away from evil, but a fool is reckless and careless.
Proverbs 14:16
A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
Proverbs 15:1
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.
John 14:27
Be still, and know that I am God:
Psalm 46:10
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts,
Colossians 3:15a
God bless,
Mark
Romans 8:28: Our Ever-Ready Defense System
Hello Precious People in Jesus,
At times, I can still be tempted to doubt that God’s working all things, even my past, for my good. The large, ever-present angel pictured below is pretty much the picture the Lord showed me when He told me He’s protecting me from not believing Romans 8:28. I’m so grateful He’s this faithful to protect me/us, to see to it that I/we believe.
There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear:
1 John 4:18
The love of God is so rich and pure. It’s measureless and strong!
Lyric taken from “The Love Of God” hymn by Frederick Lehman
Then the Lord said to me, “You have seen well, for I (Psalm 34:7 below) am watching over my word to perform it.”
Jeremiah 1:12
God, Himself, is watching over His Word (Romans 8:28) to perform it.
Romans 8:28 is intended to set a perimeter and stand guard over our minds and spirits like a behind the scenes, ever-ready and impenetrable, missile defense system that’s ready to stop any, and all, incoming weapons (fiery darts) meant to harm us…
I’m finding that if I keep believing Romans 8:28, if it’s preeminent in my thinking, I’m kept much more free from the purpose and impact of satan’s lies that try to tear my faith and me down, or to wreak havoc in my life.
The shield of faith that Romans 8:28 puts in my hands (in my spirit to keep my faith safe and intact) pretty much quenches the devil’s fiery darts. I mean, what can satan convince me of if I’m walking in knowing that God is working all things for my good. As God continues to show me that He’s truly working all things for my good, I can truly experience/realize His perfect love that casts out any fear associated with the possibility that something may not work for my good.
Yep, Romans 8:28 can be a huge spiritual tool for taking thoughts captive to the obedience of Christ Who’s ALWAYS working for ALL things for my GOOD.
It’s so much easier for me to cast any care on Jesus, to be still and know that He’s God, and to let the peace of God reign in my heart as I relax in the amazing protection the Holy Spirit places in my life with Romans 8:28.
And we know (with great confidence) that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
Romans 8:28
God bless,
Mark
Perfectionism and Growing In Grace
Wow, I could write so much about the following. But then, I’d begin to feel some perfectionism creeping in. =)
I’m becoming more and more convinced that satan can make us give up on Christianity by making us strive in our desire to be more like Christ…
We, desperately, need to extend grace to ourselves as well as to others…
It can be really difficult to truly forgive others if we can’t forgive ourselves or God.
Boy, I’m just SO thankful for the Apostle Paul’s life and experiences…
The one who sows to please his flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; but the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not grow weary in well-doing, for in due time we will reap a harvest, if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to the family of faith.…
Galatians 6:8-10
The Law came in so that the transgression would increase; but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more,
Romans 5:20
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Ephesians 2:8-9
For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. Now if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law, that it is good. So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand. For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being, but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin.
Romans 7:15-25
I hope the following is clear and simple enough to express what I’m trying to say…=)
First I want to say that we need to realize that when God’s pointing out something in our lives that we often feel condemnation for it. But, what God’s really up to is freeing us from whatever He knows is weighing down our spirits. In His love for us, He’s being a faithful Father. And, that, we can rejoice in.
With that said, I want to share a personal matter that may be helpful to many – I have just now seen this issue more clearly in myself, again.
I never like to tell folks to dwell on their past since God tells us to press onto the future while forgetting the past, but sometimes knowing our past can help us resolve lingering spiritual issues that free us from the past.
I can be a perfectionist. God’s helping me with this issue. I believe being a perfectionist comes from a victim mentality, some form of self-pity, from being compared to others, from never feeling good enough, never living up to others’ expectations, from having chronic health issues, from feeling inadequate, shame, or like I’m a burden. I can feel like I’m always trying to prove my worth to others. I’m sure satan is ever ready to bring these thoughts to our remembrance.
As I grow in the Lord, at times, I can feel like I want to do everything perfectly. I don’t like it when I mess up in my walk with Jesus or when I still react to others in my old ways. It can bother me for a while, sometimes. What I also noted about messing up is that it can bother me so much that I can be tempted to feel like, “Oh well, what’s the use. I’m never going to be able to overcome these strongholds so why try.”
That’s about the time I come to a fork in the road. Am I really frustrated enough to want to give up Christianity? Or, do I receive God’s grace for my failure, stop my striving and proving my worth, and ask His help to keep going, to keep me motivated to continue on with renewing my mind in Christ. Do I let my desire to be free from generational strongholds fill me with such strife that it makes me weary and resentful, or do I let God’s grace cover those irritating items and release Him to work them out of me in His time knowing He loves me in the meantime?
Thankfully, God’s always had me continue on with Him. He’s always allowed me to forgive myself and to move on. He’s always helped me to not grow weary in well doing. In fact, whenever I feel myself growing weary in my Christian walk, God helps me recognize my striving and brings His grace to my mind and heart as if to say, “I know your efforts to be more like My Son. But, your own efforts only lead to strife and weariness. So please let go of your strife and walk in My forgiveness and timing for your growth. Let My grace fill you with the peace that passes understanding right now.”
If you sense that, perhaps by no fault of your own, you’ve become a perfectionist, let God love you into His grace. Know that apart from Christ we can do nothing. Jesus is the One Who helps us grow. He’s the One Who forgives us and teaches us to forgive ourselves when we can’t live up to the image we may have formed for ourselves. He can set us free from serving that idol with His mercy and grace that are new every morning.
Maybe someone needed to hear this today – I did. I was going to write about something totally different today, but it seemed like the Lord was saying to write the above instead.
I love you all.
God bless,
Mark
The Blessing In Forgiveness
How do I deal with hurt? What’s my reaction when someone (even when/if I think God’s hurt me, I hold something against Him, I’m still blaming Him for something) hurts me? What about forgiving myself?
The devil works to plant sin, like unforgiveness, in my life. His plan isn’t only to to use unforgiveness to make me miserable, but to destroy me. And he wants to use my unforgiveness to infect as many others as I can with it.
In His mercy, God steps into my life to show me how to walk in forgiveness. As I learn the blessing in forgiveness, I’ll feel so much better and want to let others know they too can be freed from the terrible weight of unforgiveness.
Pursue peace with all men, as well as holiness, without which no one will see the Lord. Be careful that no one falls short of the grace of God, so that no root of bitterness will spring up to cause trouble and defile many.
Hebrew 12:14-15
Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity.
I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord.” And you forgave
the guilt of my sin.
Psalm 32:5
Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy.
Proverbs 28:13
For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.
Matthew 6:14
Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Ephesians 4:32
Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression
of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy.
Micah 7:18
You, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to you.
Psalm 86:5
Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.
Acts 3:19
Isn’t God’s mercy incredible? It just rejuvenates us like nothing else can.
Wow, my wife and I listened to some teachings on the importance of forgiveness over the weekend. I have to admit, before listening to the videos, we didn’t think we had any issues with forgiveness – maybe some lingering religious pride there? =)
As soon as the forgiveness lessons began, the precious Holy Spirit began speaking to our hearts about some things. We had to stop the videos several times and let Jesus speak to our hearts. God’s truth shared in these videos was SO soothing to our hearts, minds and spirits.
I even identified some unforgiveness I had towards God. It was so healing to deal with that.
As we sat listening to the teacher who taught how important it is to forgive others and then to bless them as a lifestyle, God just loved us into more and more forgiveness. It was so freeing. Made us feel so much more lite in our spirits like taking a spiritual bath in God’s love.
Funny how you don’t even realize you’re still carrying around weighty baggage like unforgiveness. God is SO GOOD, friends. He does everything He can to show us how to let go of the heaviness our sins can bear on us. His ongoing faithfulness just keeps surprising us. It’s so incredibly wonderful how He keeps showing us how to become more and more free to walk in His amazing love.
…that times of refreshing may come from the Lord. =)
Those times of refreshing are so good…Keep helping us become more free with Your soothing truths, Lord.
God bless,
Mark
Messianic Rabbi Jonathan Cahn: A Case Of Cultural Leprosy
We have a culture and value system that increasingly seeks to avoid pain at any cost. It even affects Christian culture. We may not realize it, but this is a form of leprosy. The greatest danger of leprosy is that it destroys the nervous system so that the person feels no pain.
If their hand is in the fire, they don’t feel it and the hand is destroyed. So too, when a culture tries to avoid all pain – it becomes leprous. If you seek to avoid all pain, you will never live a life of righteousness, godliness, and greatness.
Righteousness involves sacrifice and even pain. There is redemption in pain. God created it to alert you of danger to life. If you have pain in your body, it’s alerting you that something is wrong – so you can address it. If you have pain in your soul, it’s to tell you something is wrong.
You can fix it and it can help you.
Don’t go through your life seeking to avoid pain, or have only pleasure. Live your life seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness. And all these other things will be added to you.
Today’s Mission: Today, seek not to avoid pain and pursue pleasure. But seek to pursue righteousness and the will of God , no matter pain or pleasure.
Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.
1 Peter 4:12-14
God bless,
Mark
God, And His Ways, Fill Me With Joy
God spoke this to my heart this morning: “Mark, come away with Me to the high places, those places where those who search for Me with all their heart, those who desire Me above all else, are shown a great secret. In the high places, I will enable you to live above circumstances because of My faithful love. I’ll show you how the joy of My Presence has preeminence over everything.”
for the joy of the Lord is your strength.
Nehemiah 8:10c
Jesus’ joy is overtaking every challenge or circumstance in my everyday life, and it’s amazing. That’s why I’m telling you, there’s nothing like Jesus, like getting to the point where His joy is right there all the time helping us to live above any and all circumstances with His joy…
‘You (God) have made known to me the ways of life;
You will fill me [infusing my soul] with joy with Your presence.’
Acts 2:28 AMP
“I serve a risen Saviour, He’s in the world today
I know that He is living, whatever men may say
I see His hand of mercy, I hear His voice of cheer
And just the time I need Him He’s always near.
He lives, He lives,
Christ Jesus lives today
He walks with me and talks with me
Along life’s narrow way
He lives, He lives, Salvation to impart
You ask me how I know He lives?
He lives within my heart.”
“He Lives” Christian Hymn by Alfred Ackley
Didn’t sleep well last night for a number of reasons. Then, I woke up with this song on my heart and it brought joy to me as I was reminded of His loving care of my life. I just love how the Lord is so faithful to keep His joy coming. I love how He rescues me right when I need it by reminding me that His joy supersedes everything. It’s just so wonderful to know Christ.
Whenever you’re tempted to feel like you’re at the bottom of the barrel, let Jesus turn it over for you and put you back on top. That barrel (any and all circumstances), and every barrel in the future, is just what you needed to put your attention back on Him and His joy knowing that He’s working all things for YOUR GOOD. =)
I see His hand of mercy, I hear His voice of cheer
And just the time I need Him He’s always near…
These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.
John 15:11
God bless,
Mark
So Thankful The Lord Changes Us
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.
Proverbs 3:5
And let the peace of God rule in your hearts,
Colossians 3:15a
Be still, and know that I am God:
Psalm 46:10a
There was a time when it was difficult for me to trust in the Lord instead of my own understanding; to let the peace of God rule my heart; to be still in my mind and emotions knowing that He was always with me and taking care of me. These days, it’s easier for me to do.
It just amazes me to think that He puts these spiritual strengths into our lives. I don’t know how He does it. All I know is that once I was blind to these dear, precious things of God, but now I can see them.
I like to put my name at the end of these verses. It makes their message more meaningful, personal and loving knowing they’re coming directly from my Father to me to heal me and make me more whole. Such peace in Jesus. Such real, wonderful, deep, abiding peace…
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding, Mark.
Proverbs 3:5
And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, Mark
Colossians 3:15a
Be still, and know that I am God, Mark:
Psalm 46:10a
God bless,
Mark
Charge!
God’s teaching me that I can’t entertain the devil’s lies for any length of time at all. I can’t nonchalantly let them linger in my mind and spirit. I’m discovering that mighty warriors can’t live this way. They must constantly live in the Presence of The Lord ready to put their enemy to flight at a moment’s notice.
For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Hebrews 4:12
Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.
Proverbs 18:21
For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;
2 Corinthians 10:4
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Ephesians 6:12
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
Romans 8:37
Hello Christians in Jesus’ Name,
Maybe like me you’re a sensitive person. If so, you’ve most likely been asked to be a mighty warrior in God’s army. Let me explain…
I had bad dreams again last night. They’re almost always about me being a failure, and not being able to provide for my family. Because God made me to be sensitive, bad dreams can often leave me in the cesspool of self-pity. I can wake up feeling like I’ve been run over and left for dead. So…
When I feel this way, I have to turn to God’s Word and fight off defeating thoughts of guilt, fear, condemnation, inferiority, etc. By using the Word against their lies, I’m exposing their attacking lies to the light of God’s Word and that light expels the lying darkness. I send them and their lies running for cover back to their darkness.
Remember, we’re not fighting with flesh and blood, but against principalities in high places. This is why I stay close to Jesus. This is why I must dwell in the shadow of the Most High. I don’t do it for “religious” reasons. It’s, literally, life to me.
Without staying close to God, without using the Word (the truths I’ve come to depend on in the Bible) as the sword that it is, I’m without any weapons to fight off the thoughts that would ultimately defeat me. Life and death (the devil and his defeating thoughts) have been laid out before me and I must choose life (Christ and His conquering thoughts and truths). I must choose Jesus every day.
With the Word, I’m more than a conqueror like the Bible states in Romans 8:37. When I finally read Psalm 91 out loud this morning, the enemy’s lies, that had me pretty down, broke. I began to feel God’s strength and His truths about my life rise up in my spirit. Darkness fled.
It seems like some people have been tricked into thinking they can be lackadaisical or complacent in their Christian walk, and not have to be this close to God – I’ve been tempted to feel the same way at times.
They don’t want to have to become mighty warriors due to the fear of man, fear of the enemy, embarrassment, don’t dare take the chance of appearing to be too radical in their faith, or some other reason. I’m not boasting, but I’m not one of them. I was never given the choice. For whatever reason (probably because God knew I couldn’t make it without becoming a mighty warrior, one who must always depend on Him and His Word), God wants to make me into a mighty warrior for His glory. If you receive these emails, you probably have the same calling.
You and I are not victims, mighty warriors. In Jesus (Who is The Word), we are the victors, and we are more than conquerors.
It’s a spiritual battle we’ve been asked to participate in. No matter how we feel at any given time, when we use the Word (Jesus), the sword, against the lies of our enemy, the devil sees us like the picture below, and it scares him to death.
Keep your sword (Jesus, The Word, The Way, The Truth and The Life) close at hand. When the battle command’s given during those times when you’re walking in selfishness, feeling like a failure, overwhelmed, frantic, scared, like giving up, or like you want to go hide somewhere,
Charge!
God bless you all,
Mark
Three Keys To Renewing Our Minds
Hello Fellow Christians,
I’ve been trying to find a symbol that paints a picture in our minds to remind us to keep applying Romans 8:28; Ephesians 5:20 and 1 Thessalonians; and 2 Corinthians 10:5. I’d still like to find a three-arrow circle like the one above (but clockwise instead of counter-clockwise) that I can place these wonderful verses on.
Anyway, I like to keep these verses in mind throughout the day. I’ve asked God to remind me of their truths whenever I need them. Regardless of how I may be feeling on any given day, they’re kind of my antivirus to keep me safe from the enemy’s lies, his viruses that attack my faith, peace, joy, trust and rest in Jesus. They help me to keep dwelling in the secret place of the most High and abiding under the shadow of the Almighty. That’s home to me, and there’s no place like home!
As God helps me take on more and more of His character, these three powerful Biblical truths and commands protect my overall growth. They keep a hedge of protection around my walk with our precious Lord.
I can see billboards, hats, t-shirts, refrigerator magnets, aprons, and all kinds of items with the three arrows in a circle reminding us of these keys.
Remember that God’s working all things together for your good; to take thoughts captive to the obedience of Christ; and to thank and praise God (like the apostle Paul did when imprisoned) in all things, all circumstances.
God bless,
Mark
Blessed Is Anyone Who Trusts In The Lord
But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.
Jeremiah 17:7-8
“(But) Blessed [with spiritual security] is the man who believes and trusts in and relies on the Lord And whose hope and confident expectation is the Lord. “For he will be [nourished] like a tree planted by the waters, That spreads out its roots by the river; And will not fear the heat when it comes; But its leaves will be green and moist. And it will not be anxious and concerned in a year of drought Nor stop bearing fruit.
Jeremiah 17:7-8 AMP
God bless,
Mark